"CityQuest," A Custom-Designed Serious Game, Enhances Spatial Memory Performance in Older Adults

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Human-Computer Interaction

Background:

• Spatial cognition and memory often decline with age.
• The effectiveness of cognitive training on age-related spatial memory deficits is not well understood.
• Video games offer a novel platform for cognitive training interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if a custom-designed video game enhances spatial memory in older adults.
• To compare the effects of a multicomponent game (spatial navigation, obstacle avoidance, balance) versus simpler training conditions.
• To assess the impact of training on various spatial memory types and executive functions.

Main Methods:

• 56 healthy older adults (65-84 years) participated in 10 video game sessions over 5 weeks.
• Participants were assigned to three groups: CityQuest (full game), Spatial Navigation-only, or Obstacles-only.
• Pre- and post-intervention assessments included object recognition, egocentric/allocentric spatial memory, navigation strategy, and executive functioning.

Main Results:

• Spatial navigation training, especially the CityQuest group, led to overall improvements in spatial memory and executive function.
• Significant gains were observed in the landmark location task for the CityQuest group.
• No significant shift in strategy preference from egocentric to allocentric was detected.

Conclusions:

• Spatial memory in healthy older adults can be improved through short-term training.
• Multicomponent video games represent a viable technological approach for cognitive training in older adults.
• Age-appropriate video game interventions hold potential for maintaining and enhancing cognitive abilities in aging populations.